What a load of (pin)balls (Gottlieb Pinball Classics (PS2))

Member Name: Gary25

Product:	Gottlieb Pinball Classics (PS2)
Date:	16/09/08 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast moving and compulsive.

Disadvantages: Can wear buttons on PS2 controller using for flippers

I was out getting some shopping and glancing round the PS2 shelves when the Pinball Classics cover caught my eye (and yes, it was in a sale, and yes, I bought it on a whim).
It's a colourful cover and states that Gottlieb Pinball Classics is "The most accurate simulation of all time" - a bold claim indeed.
It has a 3+ rating meaning that even young ones can have a go and compete with us oldies who remember trying the real pinball tables.
Brief summary.
The game contains accurate reproductions of all the classic tables, including the real sounds captured from the actual tables themselves, created by the famous Gottlieb Company over the past 70 years. You get to experience the crazy Tee'd Off table, created in 1993 all the way back to the 1932 Play Boy table (DON'T PANIC - it's cards, not what you're thinking!)
Each table can be played individually or head-to-head with up to four other players.

In single player mode, you take part in the Gottlieb Challenge, playing 10 different and very varied tables. You are taken through a sequence of tables with up to 3 attempts at each to reach a minimum score before progressing to the next table. The higher the score the more points you receive.
Practice arcade. This is my favourite, where you practice on the tables directly. Some tables can be played for free whilst for others you accumulate credits for playing the free tables well. Once you have earned sufficeient credits you can play any of the tables. Each table has a goal (described on screen) and unlocks further features of the game.

You can also play tournament mode against up to four others and a payout mode, where you play the poker or blackjack (21) table to increase your credit balance.
The controls are very easy, L1 & R1 for the flippers and the right analogue stick to launch the ball. If you are thinking, where is the fun in that, there is a surprising degree of skill and timing needed on behalf of the player and it is very addictive (especially when your 8 year old son makes you look like a complete novice). You can increase the number of balls from 3 to 5 but the scores are reduced (damn).

The Tables.
Genie - 1950;s style table. Lots of flippers in this one, annoying music, drop targets, ball traps. It's good fun and your points rack up quickly.

Eldorado - a more basic table set in the jungle where you aim for targets in a row.
Black hole - very futuristic with a lower reversed table under the main one accessed via a tunnel.

Love meter - not a pinball as such but you pay one credit and it'll tell you how loved up you are (and earn more credits ocassionally). A bit of light relief.
Ace High - involves hitting cards and if you hit the face cards yo can earn replays.

Big shot - based on pool, where you have to be accurate hitting targets. Quite a compulsive game that one.
Xolten - remember Tom Hanks in Big? Well, this is like that machine that granted his wish. Input some details, such as your star sign, and find out about careers, love life, friend and family. Be warned.........

Central Park - this is a game where you have to master nudges to really build up your points.
Play-boy - calm down gents. You have to shoot the balls and into holes represented by cards. Blackjack or poker options are available. Good for a laugh.

Tee'd off - this will drive you round the band (if you'll excuse the pun). There are five rounds to complete and you need to drop the ball into the appropriate holes. It's manic.
Going nuts - balls galore in this one and you'll probably end up with double vision.

Victory - nice one based on racing cars where you need to hit checkpoints in order.
Strikes and spares - a traditional type ten pin bowling game.

I have found his a very enjoyable game to play and there are so many variations that you'll never get bored and the incentive is there to try to beat your previous high score.
The only thing against it is that your PS2 controller takes a battering on the R1 & L1 buttons and I've known ours to stick in with repeated use so try I be careful. This is a game that you may think, "Boring, you'd buy that" but if you tried it you'd be pleasantly surprised .

I hope this gives a good idea of the game,
Regards, Gary.

Summary: Eleven different pinball tables, build up points and credits to unlock features